Coal train drivers extend strike

Negotiations between coal haulage company Pacific National and its workers have deteriorated further, with more industrial action now planned for the weekend.

Hundreds of Hunter region coal train drivers will now walk off the job for 48 hours from midday Friday, extending the planned strike action by 24 hours.

The strike could affect the transportation of more than half a million tonnes of coal.

Rail Tram and Bus Union National Secretary Bob Nanva says the action was escalated after Pacific National lowered the pay offer that workers rejected in December.

"It's hard to negotiate with a company when they're reducing their wage offer," he said.

"Now we're keen as mustard to reach an agreement but PN is pulling in the opposite direction.

"It's high time they show some respect to their workforce and start negotiating a fair and reasonable outcome."

The Director of Pacific National David Irwin says the company is happy for the Fair Work Commission to arbitrate the wage dispute.

"I'm hopeful that our offer of consent arbitration is something the union will take up," he said.

"We have quite genuinely offered the Fair Work Commission can arbitrate on these outstanding matters in order to reach an agreement without the impact of protected action, but to this point in time the union have not entertained that option at all."